Early Pregnancy Levels of Fasting Glucose, HbA1c, and Adiponectin as Predictors of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among Pregnant Women in Tamil Nadu, India

Year : 2026 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 02 | Page : 10 18
By

Atul Khajuria,

Eric Kwasi Elliason,

  1. Director, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India
  2. Ph.D. Research Fellow, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is rapidly becoming a major public health issue across India, and Tamil Nadu continues to report some of the country’s highest incidence figures. Identifying women at elevated risk during the first trimester allows health workers to intervene early and improve outcomes for both mothers and babies. This research, therefore, examines whether fasting plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin, and adiponectin measured at that initial visit can reliably predict later development of the disorder. Methods: Prospective cohort research enrolled 370 pregnant women visiting prenatal clinics in Tamil Nadu. Women were enrolled at 11 to 13 weeks of gestation and monitored until 24 to 28 weeks. Upon enrolment, researchers assessed fasting glucose, HbA1c, and serum adiponectin levels. The diagnosis of GDM adhered to the IADPSG procedure, employing a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test performed during the follow-up period. The data were subsequently analyzed using logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve methodologies. Results: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was diagnosed in 98 pregnant women, resulting in an incidence rate of 26.5%. The mean fasting plasma glucose (92.6 ± 8.2 mg/dL) and HbA1c (5.8 ± 0.4%) were considerably elevated in the GDM group relative to the controls (85.1 ± 7.4 mg/dL and 5.4 ± 0.3%, p < 0.001). Circulating adiponectin levels were significantly reduced in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (7.3 ± 1.9 µg/mL compared to 11.2 ± 2.6 µg/mL, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) study indicated that adiponectin had the highest discriminative capability, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.87, succeeded by fasting glucose (AUC 0.81) and HbA1c (AUC 0.79). A multiparameter model including all three markers enhanced prediction power to an AUC of 0.92. Conclusion: Measurements of fasting glucose, HbA1c and adiponectin taken during the first trimester reliably identify Indian women at risk of GDM. Adiponectin alone displays the strongest inverse correlation and the highest diagnostic accuracy. Inclusion of these biomarkers in early screening protocols could facilitate timely clinical action and ease the growing burden of GDM in high-incidence areas such as Tamil Nadu.

Keywords: Gestational diabetes mellitus, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, adiponectin, pregnancy screening

[This article belongs to Research and Reviews : A Journal of Medical Science and Technology ]

How to cite this article: Atul Khajuria, Eric Kwasi Elliason. Early Pregnancy Levels of Fasting Glucose, HbA1c, and Adiponectin as Predictors of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among Pregnant Women in Tamil Nadu, India. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Medical Science and Technology. 2026; 15(02):10-18.
How to cite this URL: Atul Khajuria, Eric Kwasi Elliason. Early Pregnancy Levels of Fasting Glucose, HbA1c, and Adiponectin as Predictors of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among Pregnant Women in Tamil Nadu, India. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Medical Science and Technology. 2026; 15(02):10-18. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjomst/article=2026/view=251870

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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 15
Issue 02
Received 15/05/2026
Accepted 21/05/2026
Published 06/08/2026
Publication Time 83 Days

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